Socket for holding a crystal



Jan. 17, 1950 L, R, WANNER 2,494,919

SOCKET FOR HOLDING A CRYSTAL Filed Feb. 2, 1948 NVENTORD Louis 1?. ANNER Patented Jan. 17, 1950 SOCKET FORv HOLDING A- CRYSTAL Louis B. Wanner, Philadelphia, Pa, assignor to Hugh H. Eby;.1'nc., a corporation of Pennsyl- Vania ApplicationFebruary 2, 1948, Serial No. 5,822

(Cl. 1'l1327) '7 Claims. 1.

My invention relates to an'elcctrical socket and relates particularly to a socket wherein a crystal may be quickly inserted or quickly removed.

The term crystal as used in this application indicates an electrical d'evice having a pair of terminals composed of electrical conducting material which must be electrically connected in an electronic circuit.

Crystals when used on electronic equipment installed on ships 01" aircraft are subjected, at times, to severe vibration and shock. Hence, the crystal terminals must maintain good electrical contact. within its socket under. normal or abnormal conditions. Furthermore, compensation for any variations in tolerance of the crystal electrical contacts must be made to assure good electrical; contact.

Thereforait is an object of my invention to provide a socket which will retain a crystal under conditions of severe vibration and shock.

Another object of my invention is to provide a socket for a crystal which will compensate for any variation in tolerance of the crystal electrical contacts in order to assure good electrical contact.

Another object of my invention is to provide a socket whereby a crystal may be easily inserted and easily withdrawn.

Another object of my invention is to provide a socket for a crystal whereby the electrical connections to the socket may be made either from top of the chassis or from the bottom of the chassis.

Other objects of my invention are to provide an improved device of the character described, I

that is easily and economically produced, which is sturdy in construction, and which is highly efiicient in operation.

With the above and related objects in view, my invention consists in the details of construction and combination of parts, as will be more fully understood from the following description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a plan view of a combined crystal and socket embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the crystal and socket embodying my invention.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the crystal and socket embodying my invention.

Fig. 4 is an end View of the crystal and socket embodying my invention.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the socket shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 with the crystal removed.

Referring now in greater detail to my invention wherein similar reference characters refer to similar parts, I show a base, generally designated as of insulating material which may be either a thermo-setting or thermo-plastic material, or ceramic, e. g., phenolformaldehyde.

polystyrene, steat-ite, porcelain, which base has a plurality of openings if! whereby the base may be bolted or riveted to a chassis (not shown)". A pair cl electrical contacts, generally designated as B, of rod-like formation, have'aportion passing completely through thebase with the-lower most extremity l2 protruding completely beneath the base A for the purpose of receiving one end or an electrical wire so that the terminal B may be connected in the circuit. A flange ['4 on the terminal B abuts the upper surface ['5 of the base A. The upper portion [6 of the terminal B has a circular groove 18 therein for the purpose of being physically engaged by a complementary terminal 20 of a crystal, generally designated as C. The crystal C comprises a cylindrical body 32 having two longitudinal extending terminals 2%, it suitably connected to the crystal. The crystal C generally resembles a wheel in configuration so that the body or rim 22 may be embraced and engaged by a beryllium copper holding spring, generally designated as D. The spring D has a base 24 which is fastened by a suitable holding bolt or rivet 26 to the base A. The base 2d has an car 28 that interfits within a recess in the base A so that the spring D cannot oscillate about the holding rivet 26. An upright portion or resilient lever 32 has its free end a l arcuate in configuration to partially contact and press against the body 22 of the crystal C. The free arcuate end 34 is spaced from its base as so that a considerable resilient force is placed by the arcuate end 34 of the spring D against the crystal C to hold the arms 20 in position within the recess it of the fixed socket contact B.

A pair of integrally formed cars 36, 36 formed integrally with the spring D engage the sides of body 22.

In operation the crystal C may be rapidly removed by pulling the body 22 or by pulling the terminals 2., :20. To insert the crystal C the body 22 is pushed into arcuate portion 34 of the spring D so that the terminals 20, 20 are pressed within the grooves it, It by the reaction of the spring D on the crystal.

The base may also be made from a ceramic steatite or phenolic material. Th socket may be made for front wiring instead of back.

The component parts of this socket may. also be mounted on a common base where a multiplicity of crystals are used in the related transmitting or receiving equipment.

Although my invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as being illustrative rather than limiting, since the invention may be variously embodied, and the scope of the invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim as my invention:

1. A crystal holder of the character described comprising a base member of insulating material, a pair of elongated prongs secured to said base member in laterally spaced relation and with their axes substantially parallel to each other, and a spring clip fixedly secured to said base member between said prongs, said clip having an arcuately shaped freely extending portion disposed to one side of and with its concave surface presenting toward the plane common to the prong axes, said clip being operative conjointly with said prongs to resiliently hold a crystal unit therebetween.

2. A holder for a crystal of the type having a cylindrical body and a pair of terminal elements projecting axially from opposite ends of said body comprising, in combination, a base member of insulating material, a pair of prong elements secured to said base in laterally spaced relation and with their axes substantially parallel to each other, each of said prong elements being adapted to engage one of the terminal elements of the crystal, and a spring clip member secured to said base member intermediate said prong elements, said clip member having a freely projecting arcuately shaped portion adapted to engage the peripheral surface of the cylindrical body of the crystal and yieldingly press the terminal elements of the crystal into crosswise engagement with said fixed prong elements on the base memher.

3. In a holder of the character defined in claim 2 wherein said prong elements are characterized in that each is provided with an annular groove constituting a seat for one of the crystal terminal elements.

4. In a holder of the character defined in claim 2 wherein said prong elements are respectively notched transversely of their axes to provide seats for accommodation of said terminal elements of the crystal.

5. In a holder of the character defined in claim 2 wherein the concave surface of said arcuately shaped portion of the spring clip member is offset from and presents toward the plane common to the parallel axes of said prong elements.

6. In a holder of the character defined in claim 2 wherein the spring clip member is provided upon opposite sides thereof with parallel ears present ing forwardly of the concave surface of its arcuately shaped portion to limit movement of the crystal laterally of the clip member.

7. In a holder of the character defined in claim 2 wherein said prong elements each include a terminal for an electrical connection thereto.

LOUIS R. WANNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,392,690 Perkins et al Jan. 8, 1946 2,429,826 Kuenstler Oct. 28, 1947 2.430.487 Nelson Nov. 11. 1947 

